50 natural wonders: The ultimate list of scenic splendor

Water, fire and ice have combined to make some of the most spectacular scenery in the world -- from giant crystal caves to mud volcanoes and rock formations that look like works of art.

If your office and daily commute aren't a fitting reminder of the extraordinary natural diversity of planet earth, get some inspiration from these incredible scenes.

1. Pulpit Rock, Preikestolen, Norway

If there are any preachers here, they'll be telling you to get back. With a 604-meter drop from a flat plateau down to Lysefjord with no safety railings, this is not a place for vertigo sufferers.

Keep well back from the edge and you can still enjoy the fantastic scenery over Kjerag peak, which itself drops 984 meters.

Preikestolen is south of Jørpeland. From the designated car park it's a 90-minute hike to the viewpoint. www.visitnorway.com. Guided tours can be arranged through the Stavanger tourist board: info@RegionStavanger.com; +47 51 85 92 00

2. Gran Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Pass the fries.

The Gran Salar de Uyuni in southern Bolivia takes in more than 10 square kilometers of salt. It feels more like a desert than a lake.

The flat, white landscape causes optical illusions and reflects colors. There's even a hotel made almost entirely of salt and an island where giant cacti grow in the middle of the salt lake.

3. Ngorogoro Crater, Tanzania

More than enough room to swing a very big cat. The Ngorogoro Crater is Africa’s Eden. Created when a huge volcano exploded 2-3 million years ago, the 300 square kilometer caldera now offers the best chances of seeing Africa’s wild animals.

Lions, rhino, leopards, elephant and buffalo are the “big five” present among around 25,000 animals, and nearly every species present in East Africa, which call the area home.

From Kilimanjaro International Airport you can fly or drive the 55 kilometers to Arusha, from where you can organize tours and accommodation inside and outside the crater: www.ngorongorocrater.org

4. Paria Canyon, Arizona, United States

Not all great waves can be surfed. The Paria River in northern Arizona carved its own smaller version of the Grand Canyon. Some of the rock formations, including The Wave, are just as spectacular.

Visitors need a permit from the Bureau of Land Management -- the permit for an overnight trek comes with a “human waste bag,” so if you want to visit this natural wonder, you'll have to prepare to pack your waste.

Fee: US$6 per person (and per dog) for day hiking and US$5 for overnight hiking.

The Paria Contact Station is 69 kilometers east of Kanab. You can hire a guide through the Bureau of Land Management -- see their website for a list of authorized guides: www.blm.gov

5. Volcanic eruptions at Stromboli, Italy

A fireworks show millions of years in the making. Part of the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily, Stromboli is a small volcanic island with several hundred brave inhabitants.

Unlike most volcanoes, Stromboli's is constantly spewing lava fountains, gas and ash. Fascinating for volcanologists, but also great for day-trippers who fancy seeing live lava action.

For natural fireworks, take a boat trip around the island at night.

Fee: Boat trips cost €15-20 (US$21-28) per person.

Arrange boat tours from harbors on the north coast of Sicily (Messina, Cefalù, Palermo). www.swisseduc.ch

6. Mud volcanoes of Gobustan, Azerbaijan

One of the few places you can bathe in a volcanic eruption. Mud lovers trek to Gobustan's strangely Martian landscape, 65 kilometers south of Azerbaijan's capital Baku, where thick gray mud regularly spews from small volcanoes.

The mud is thought to have medicinal qualities, so don't be surprised if you see people stripping down and lathering themselves in the goo. Look out for the area's Roman inscriptions and the petroglyphic rock art.

About 70 kilometers west of Baku

7. Jeita Grotto, Nahr al-Kalb Valley, Lebanon

Cavemen didn't have it so bad after all. Eighteen kilometers northeast of Beirut, these underground limestone caves were inhabited in prehistoric times and continue to attract human visitors with their vivid colors and stalactite formations. The biggest stalactite in the world is here.

The caves consist of a network of chambers -- with an upper and a lower gallery -- stretching out for nine kilometers and accessible by an underground river.

The nearest town is Juniyah, just a few kilometers away. Cave tours last two hours. www.jeitagrotto.com

8. Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail, Wales

You can almost hear the male choirs in the distance. Rated by Cheap Flights as one of the 10 best hiking trails in the world, this path twists 300 kilometers from St. Dogmaels to Amroth in southwest Wales.

It's often wet and windy, but if you strike lucky on a sunny day this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Scented gorse and crimson heather brighten the way.

Look for seals in the waters below.

Paths are signposted -- join the path on the coast between St. Dogmaels and Amroth. Details on guided walks and activities can be found on the National Trails website -- including self-guided walks with baggage transfer.nt.pcnpa.org.uk

9. Pangong Tso Lake, India-China

Beautiful to look at. But swimming here is only for masochists. This saltwater lake deep in the Himalayas at an altitude of 4,350 meters lies astride a disputed border area between India and China-governed Tibet.

Don't let that put you off -- the rarefied air make the colors and clarity of the lake intense.

Pangong Tso is reached by a mountain road from the Indian town of Leh, but you'll need to get a permit via a registered tour guide.

Get to Leh by road from Jammu, or by plane from Delhi. At Leh arrange a permit and travel by road 4-5 hours to the lake. Permits and tour guides can be arranged through reputable travel agents such as Kuoni

10. Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, Norway

Not a Norwegian motor car. If you only have time to visit two fjords in your lifetime, make it the Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord in southwest Norway.

These are among the world's longest and deepest fjords, with high vertical cliffs, deep waters and giddy waterfalls. Both are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

11. South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States

"Ooh Ah Point" awaits the adventurous. Most visitors view the canyon from South Rim viewing stations. Considering that it has taken the Colorado River the past 17 million years to carve this wonder out of rock, it seems only fair to take a closer look.

Built by the National Park Service in 1924, the South Kaibab Trail takes you to the wonderfully named “Ooh Ah Point” and, for the adventurous, further into the canyon's depths. Plan carefully, heat stroke is no fun.

Fee: US$25 per vehicle or US$12 per person.

In the northwest corner of Arizona, visitors usually head to South Rim Village (120 kilometers northwest of Flagstaff on route 180) or the North Rim Village. Free shuttle buses service the South Rim in summer months. Ranger-led day hikes and walks take place throughout the year. www.nps.gov

12. Mount Roraima, Guyana/Brazil/Venezuela

1. Climb. 2. Catch breath. 3. Stand in awe. South America's answer to Uluru, this impressive sandstone plateau is surrounded on all sides by 400-meter cliffs, creating an isolated and unique ecosystem.

If you want to follow in David Attenborough's footsteps (he's filmed several times here), organize a trek from the Venezuelan side.

Hiking up Mount Roraima is best done from Venezuela. The Paratepui Route is the easiest for non-technical climbers and trips can be arranged from San Francisco de Yurani. www.summitpost.org

13. Verdon Gorge, Provence, France

Up a creek without a paddle? Not so bad. The gorgeous turquoise waters of the Verdon River flow through one of Europe's most beautiful gorges for 25 kilometers.

Swim in the translucent waters of Lac de St. Croix and stare in awe at the 700-meter walls of the Verdon Gorge. If you've got a head for heights, it's a popular destination for rock-climbing.

14. Jiuzhaigou National Park, Sichuan Province, China

All the colors of nature in one park. The three valleys that form this biosphere reserve contain a network of connected lakes, waterfalls and rivers -- the most spectacular of which are the Pearl Waterfalls.

Spot the ancient tree trunks under the clear waters of Five Flower Lake. Wooden paths and shuttle buses help visitors get around.

In the north of Sichuan, the nearest town to Jiuzhaigou National Park is Songpan. www.china-cts.net

15. Lake Nakuru, Kenya

And you thought your city was crowded. A streak of blue (and pink) in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, Lake Nakuru is home to thousands of pink flamingoes that flock here to feed on the lake's algae.

A UNESCO Heritage Site, Lake Nakuru National Park is also home to hippos, white and black rhino, giraffe and buffalo.

Fee: US$75 per non-resident adult in high season, US$60 in low season. Fees for Kenyan residents and citizens are about US$5-10.

Fee: A three-day park pass costs AU$25 for those over 16. Free for those under 16.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is about 440 kilometers southwest of Alice Springs. Flights are available from most major cities to Ayers Rock airport. www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru.Free ranger-guided walks run daily from the base of Uluru. For tours by local Aboriginal guides, ask at the Anangu Tours Desk in the Resort Tourist Information Centre. +61 8 8956 2123; ananguwaai.com.au; reservations@ananguwaai.com.au

17. Siwa Oasis, Egypt

Yes, you can swim in the Sahara. This isolated oasis has natural springs and fertile land, providing access to spectacular stretches of Sahara desert. It's a great spot for star gazing from your tent in the sand, but bring your bathing suit for a dip in its hot and cold natural pools.

A 10-hour drive west of Cairo. Public buses take much longer. Desert safaris can be arranged in Siwa. www.siwa.com

18. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Iceland

A waterfall you can stand beneath without getting wet. Waterfall connoisseurs agree it's not size that counts. The biggest and the highest may be impressive, but when it comes to cascading water, Iceland's Seljalandsfoss has style.

The sight of the Seljalandsá River dropping 62 meters down the sheer cliff face has made it a must-see Iceland attraction. There's a path that goes behind the cascade, so bring your waterproof camera.

19. Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina

We got ice, who brought the drinks?This 30-kilometer glacier in Patagonia's Los Glaciares National Park (not to be confused with the Perito Moreno National Park) grows and contracts, often forming a natural ice dam on the "elbow" of Lago Argentino.

The force of the trapped water causes a spectacular rupture every four to five years. Even when the ice isn't exploding, the sight of the glacier's blue peaks is a lifetime attraction.

20. Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

How many natural features can you fit into one picture?Deep in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Moraine Lake -- together with its sister Lake Louise -- is one of the most photographed landscapes in Banff National Park.

It's known as the jewel of the Rockies for its deep crystalline waters that mirror pine forests, soaring mountains and endless sky.

Fee: A pass for Banff National Park is US$9.80 for adults

Drive or take a direct bus 128 kilometers west from Calgary to Banff. www.pc.gc.ca

21. Cascate del Mulino, Saturnia, Tuscany, Italy

Inspiration for Rome's baths?Steaming hot spring water comes out of the ground at 37.5 C and cascades over a series of small waterfalls into dozens of pools on consecutive levels.

Niagara Falls it ain't, but the cascading thermal springs at Saturnia are a lot of fun. Soak in the natural sulfurous mineral water and just maybe cure ailments from rheumatism to muscle ache.

22. William Bay, Western Australia

Yes, these rocks do look a little like elephants. But only a little. A five-hour drive south of Perth, William Bay in Denmark has turquoise waters that lap around white sands and the Elephant Rocks, which shelter an area of rock pools and granite terraces called Green's Pool.

The calm waters are perfect for snorkeling, while the more adventurous have the Great Southern Ocean on the other side.

23. Jeju Island Lava Tubes, South Korea

What Ireland and Korea have in common. This volcanic island in Korea -- it's on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list -- has mountains, stunning coastal rock formations and the finest system of cave lava tubes in the world.

The Jeju caves have towers of petrified lava, while the Cheju-do cliffs have tube-like formations similar to the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.

Jeju Island is 130 kilometers off the southern coast of South Korea. It's accessible by boat from Busan or air from Gimpo airport in Seoul. visitkorea.or.kr

24. Angel Falls, Venezuela

Nature 1, Extreme Kayakers 0 The highest waterfall in the world, the water at Angel Falls travels 979 meters, which includes a free fall drop of 807 meters.

It cascades over one of the biggest table-top mountains in the Canaima National Park in southern Venezuela, known to the local Pemon people as Devil's Mountain. Most of the water evaporates as mist before reaching the bottom.

Angel Falls is in remote jungle near the Canaima airstrip, which can be reached by plane from Ciudad Guayana or Ciudad Bolivar. Local Pemon people work as guides. www.angel-falls.com

25. Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland

Perfect place for a yodel. Deep in the Swiss Alps the Lauterbrunnen Valley, or Lauterbrunnental, is a deep cleft cut in the topography running between steep limestone precipices.

The waterfalls that dot the rift often disappear into wisps of spray before hitting bottom, and include Staubbach Falls, one of Europe’s highest unbroken waterfalls at 270 meters.

Get to Lauterbrunnen, the village in the valley, by narrow-gauge train from Interlaken Ost station in the Bernese Highlands. www.myswitzerland.com

26. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Eight kilometers of awesome. South of the village of Doolin in County Clare, the Cliffs of Moher rise 213 meters above the Atlantic Ocean and stretch for eight kilometers.

They are one of Ireland's biggest natural tourist attractions, but they also attract Atlantic puffins, razorbills and other wild birds.

Don't miss the spectacular views of the Arran Islands, Galway Bay and the Burren.

Fee: €6 (US$8) per person for access to the visitor center including some pathways.

27. Skaftafell National Park, Iceland

Just one of Skaftafells' impressive features. Formed over millions of years by volcanic eruptions, rivers and glaciers, the Skaftafell National Park in southern Iceland has a variety of striking landscapes. These include an overhanging wall of geometric black basalt rocks on the Svartifoss waterfall, which inspired the architecture of Reykjavik's National Theatre, and the majestic Skaftafellsjökull glacier that seems to have frozen in mid-flow.

28. Lake Titicaca, Bolivia/Peru

The lake of a thousand legends. At an altitude of 3,811 meters above sea level, Lake Titicaca is one of the largest lakes in South America by volume.

It is also the highest commercially navigated lake in the world and is home to indigenous people including the Aymara and the Quechua. Its vast expanse of water is often cloaked in light mist and has inspired numerous local legends.

Lake Titicaca can be visited from the Peruvian town of Puno or from Copacabana on the Bolivian side, 150 kilometers from La Paz. www.laketiticaca.org

29. Wadden Sea, Germany and the Netherlands

Not much to look at, but still spectacular. UNESCO describes the Wadden Sea as “the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world.” In other words, it's a surreal hinterland along the coast of Germany and the Netherlands that combines wide-open stretches of sand and shallow seas.

It’s also home to migratory birds. Go there and you'll feel a million miles from anywhere else on earth and about as small as one of the clams at your feet.

30. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, Palawan, Philippines

After trains and caves, here's another way to get underground. Nominated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River runs for 8.2 kilometers underground and boasts limestone karst formations, stalactites and stalagmites.

You can cruise down the river in a canoe. Watch out for the Palawan stink badger, an adorable little skunk that lives in the area.

Fee: General entrance fee of P50-75 (US$1.10-1.70) and another cave entrance fee of P200 (US$4.50) for 20-59 year olds.

31. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Freshwater snorkeling at its best. This series of shallow lakes in the heart of Croatia are a nature lover's paradise, with clear waters pooled in between rocky canyons and dramatic waterfalls gushing over cliff edges.

Wooden walkways make access easy for visitors. Swimming is forbidden inside the national park, but there are places for a dip outside, such as Korana Village. Look out for freshwater fish and brown bears in the surrounding hills.

Fee: K110 (US$20) for adults in summer season.

The park is a two-hour drive north of Zadar. There are also good bus services. Guided tours for groups are available on request -- see website. www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr

32. Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls, Zambia, Zimbabwe

More water than you'll bathe in, drink and flush in your lifetime. The Zambeze River cascades over a cliff stretching more 1.7 kilometers, making this waterfall, known by its local name as Mosi-oa-Tunya (smoke that thunders), a stunning sight.

With its highest-ever recorded flow rate of 12,800 cubic meters per second, a lot of water makes the 108-meter drop into the Zambeze's gorges.

Swimmers can take a dip in Devil's Pool when water levels aren't too high -- it's right on the edge of the waterfall. Check safety notices first.

Visit the falls from Livingstone in Zambia.

33. Finistère, France

One of Pointe du Raz's rare calm moods. The remote headland in Brittany really does feel like the end of the world (its name is derived from the Latin finis terrae).

In front lies the Atlantic Ocean, while along the coast natural rocky harbors and inlets create a rugged landscape.

Tourists flock to Pointe du Raz, which points like a craggy finger at a lighthouse in often choppy waters, but on sunny days the abers are peaceful and protected from the elements.

35. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia

Swimming with the fishes, in a good way. Made up of nearly 3,000 individual reefs, the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland extends for 2,600 kilometers and is the world's largest structure made of living organisms. It's even visible from space.

A favorite on UNESCO's World Heritage list, this delicate ecosystem is home to porpoises, green sea turtles, whales and dugongs. But the reef is threatened by climate change and coral bleaching that occurs when water temperatures rise.

Fee: An environmental management fee (EMC) of AU$5.50 (US$5.30) is charged per person per day.

Base your visit from any of the towns on the east coast of Queensland between Gladstone and Thursday Island. www.gbrmpa.gov.au. Choose a tour operator approved by the Marine Park authority: www.gbrmpa.gov.au

36. Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst, Hungary and Slovakia

Fairy tale-feel underground. This vast karst landscape of limestone plateaus and more than 700 caves is home to the world's highest stalagmite.

The 21-kilometer Baradla-Domica cave stretches over the Hungary-Slovakia border. The Gombasek cave is probably the more photographed, with its impressive rock formations giving it the feel of a fairy tale city.

37. Mount Bromo, Indonesia

Watch out for pickpockets and live-chicken throwers. This smoking crater inside the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park sits in a sea of sand.

It's actually a small active volcano inside the much larger caldera of an ancient extinct volcano.

While the volcano is still active and has recently been closed off to the public, it's still a point of pilgrimage for Javanese Hindus, who congregate every year in the Kasada festival, during which live chickens are thrown into the crater.

38. Freycinet National Park, Tasmania, Australia

Worst thing about Wineglass Bay -- the water sports that make you feel lazy. Freycinet's white sand beach at Wineglass Bay, pink granite rock formations and Hazards peaks are among Tasmania's most stunning coastal scenery. The park is northeast of Hobart.

Hiking, snorkeling, kayaking and boating are popular pastimes, but so is lying on the beach and admiring the scenery.

39. Iguazú National Park, Argentina

Great reward at the end of a rain forest trek. The Iguazú River drops up to 82 meters over a 2.7 kilometer-wide ledge of the Paraná Plateau. The waterfalls are accessible from Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

A walk through the national park will take you not only to the Devil's Throat and close to the curtain of water, it will also give you a chance to spot coral trees, butterflies, toucans and hummingbirds.

40. Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, Madagascar

Not easy to navigate, but worth it. Spiky limestone rock formations and mangrove forests are part of the tropical and otherworldly landscape of the Tsingy de Bemaraha nature reserve on the western side of Madagascar.

The reserve is home to chameleons, lemurs and endangered birds.

Also part of the landscape is the Manambolo River, which runs red with eroded sediment from the highlands of Madagascar.

41. Cueva de los Cristales/Cave of Crystals, Mexico

With crystals, big is best. In 2000, a group of miners tunneling in the Naica mine, in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, found an underground cavern containing giant selenite crystals -- some as long as 11 meters.

The size and beauty of these gypsum crystals brought the Cave of Crystals instant fame.

But the future of the cave is uncertain. While access is currently possible for short periods, the cave may be closed and flooded in the future to stop the crystals from disintegrating.

The Naica mine is 135 kilometers southeast of the city of Chihuahua. naica.com.mx

42. The Bay of Fundy, Canada

Climbs and falls more than the NYSE. One of four places on earth with extreme tidal highs and lows, the Bay of Fundy sees a vertical rise in sea level of as much as 17 meters twice a day.

More than 100 billion tons of seawater rush in and out of the bay daily, sculpting unique basalt shapes out of the rocks along the coast.

Travel between the bay's islands and coastal towns is possible by small car ferry. bayoffundy.com

43. Halong Bay, Vietnam

Turning every visitor into a photographer. Thousands of small islands and standing stacks, or karsts, overgrown with green shrubbery, protrude from this peaceful bay.

The popular way to explore is in a traditional Chinese trading ship -- the brown-paneled sails of the junks have become as much a part of the landscape as the towering rocks.

Most visitors to Halong Bay come via Hanoi -- 170 kilometers away, or five to six hours on a public bus. Private cars can be hired. Even rented helicopters make the journey. whc.unesco.org/en/list/672

44. Punkaharju Esker Nature Reserve, Finland

Land of toadstools and fairies. This seven-kilometer esker, or sand ridge, was formed during the Ice Age and has been an important trade route in eastern Finland for millennia.

Calm lakes lie on either side and tall pines provide shade for moss, toadstools and blueberries -- easy to see how fairy tales are born. You expect a frog with a crown to hop off the nearest giant mushroom, or a mystical hand to reach out of the lake.

Take a train from Helsinki to Punkaharju or drive the 350 kilometers northeast of Helsinki. www.outdoors.fi

45. Frozen Sea in Luleå, Sweden

Signs in Sweden leave it to you to decide what they mean. This isn't the only place in the world where the sea freezes over, but the town's location -- jutting out into the sea -- makes the frozen water a welcome extension of the town's streets in the depths of winter.

From December to February, locals skate, snow-trek and sled across the bay, while some roads -- across the sea -- are passable only in winter.

Signs advise you to remove your seatbelt for a quicker exit should your car come across thin ice.

There are several daily flights to Luleå from Stockholm, which is easier than driving the 900 kilometers. www.lulea.se

46. Trango Towers, Pakistan

When you leave a deposit for a chopper rescue you know it's serious climbing. Some of the highest cliffs in the world are in northeastern Pakistan in the Karakoram mountain range.

Trango Tower, for instance, rises a kilometer above the other granite spires in its ridge and has an elevation of more than 6,200 meters above sea level. It's a sight that's just too tempting for intrepid climbers and base-jumpers.

Fee: A trekking fee (US$50) and environmental fee (US$200) are imposed on visitors. Climbers may have to put down a US$6,000 deposit (refundable) for helicopter rescue.

47. Fox Glacier, South Island, New Zealand

A beautiful scene, but don't get too close. Along with the 12-kilometer Franz Josef Glacier (a short distance up the coast), the 13-kilometer Fox Glacier on New Zealand's South Island is one of the most easily accessible ice masses in the world.

Fox Glacier reaches almost to the coast, just 250 meters above sea level. Large chucks of ice breaking off the face make it dangerous to get too close.

Fox Glacier is in Westland National Park, 200 kilometers west of Christchurch. Get information on guided tours at www.newzealand.com

48. The Shilin Stone Forest, China

Sometimes women are even more beautiful when they're mad. Spread over 350 square kilometers in Yunnan province, these stone needles look like an ancient petrified forest -- the rock formations stand tall and emerge vertically from the ground.

The karst rocks are more than 270 million years old. Local legend says the forest was created when a young woman was forbidden to marry her love -- she rebelled by turning herself into stone.

49. Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii, United States

The best of a spectacular bunch. Whether sandy beaches, giant waves or volcanic craters, Hawaii has plenty of breathtaking landscapes. But the drama and scale of the Na Pali coast of Kauai, along the 17-kilometer Kalalau trail, may top them all.

The lush green mountains ripple with scree slopes and ridges for more than 1,300 meters before dipping into the Pacific.

Fee: No entrance fee to the Na Pali coastal trail, but US$20 for camping for non-residents.

50. Lake Baikal, Russia

A lake so big it has its own monster. Lake Baikal in southern Siberia is not only the deepest and oldest lake in the world (more than 1,600 meters deep and more than 25 million years old), it holds almost 20 percent of the world's freshwater supply.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a unique ecosystem that supports more than 2,600 species of plant and animals. There have even been reports of a “Baikal Monster,” likely to be a giant sturgeon.

The nearest city is Irkutsk, about 120 kilometers north of the Mongolian border. www.irkutsk.org

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article first appeared on CNNGo in November 2011.